FIFA Talent Identification Workshop: Making the Talent Selection Process More Specific
During the second day of the FIFA Talent Identification Workshop, FIFA expert Eric Abrams provided an in-depth overview of talent identification and selection methodologies, helping participants gain a clearer and more practical understanding of the process of evaluating young football talents.
08/06/2026 10:09:01Following the opening ceremony on June 6, FIFA expert Eric Abrams introduced the fundamental concepts and overall framework of talent identification and selection in football. During the second day of the workshop, held across both morning and afternoon sessions on June 7, participants were provided with more comprehensive knowledge through detailed discussions of systematic scouting and selection methodologies.
The sessions focused on analytical approaches designed to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of the talent identification process, helping ensure that players are assessed according to their true potential while minimizing the risk of overlooking promising young talents.
The concepts of talent identification, the definition of talent, and the key attributes of talented players were clearly explained and analyzed by FIFA expert Eric Abrams, enabling participants to gain a deeper understanding of the player selection process. According to Abrams, evaluating a talented young player should not be based solely on technical ability, but must also take into account physical attributes, game intelligence, mentality, and psychological characteristics. The FIFA expert emphasized that a detailed and comprehensive assessment process significantly reduces the risk of overlooking promising talents.
After being introduced to the theoretical foundations of talent identification and selection in the morning sessions, participants moved to the field in the afternoon to observe players in action at Phu Tho Training Ground in Ho Chi Minh City. The practical session allowed participants to apply the concepts, definitions, and selection criteria covered during the classroom lectures. In addition, they gained hands-on experience in organizing and conducting a talent identification session in accordance with the methodologies and requirements presented during the workshop.
Reflecting on the second day of the workshop, football expert Doan Minh Xuong said that the sessions were highly valuable for coaches, particularly for participants who have limited experience in organizing youth talent identification programmes.
“The player selection process is structured as a systematic, scientific, and professional framework to ensure that talented players are not overlooked. The joint initiative by VFF and FIFA is highly meaningful as it helps improve talent identification and youth development, serving not only local football programmes but also contributing to the discovery and development of more quality players for Vietnamese football as a whole,” Doan Minh Xuong said.
The workshop will continue with its third and final working day on June 8 before concluding with the closing ceremony scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on the same day.
